About Samuel Krause
Samuel Wolloch Krause is running for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Office No. 65. He is a Partner in the ERISA, Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group at Hall Benefits Law, and brings nearly three decades of legal experience to this race — including at elite national firms Skadden Arps, Hogan & Hartson, and Crowell & Moring, as well as serving as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of California Schools VEBA, an organization with approximately $1 billion in annual revenue providing benefits to over 150,000 public employees.
Samuel currently serves as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — a role he has held since March 2016 — giving him direct, hands-on courtroom experience that few candidates can match. He is admitted to practice in both California and New York.
A prolific legal author and scholar, Samuel is a contributor or co-author on three published books, has written scores of articles, and is most recently published across multiple Bloomberg News platforms including Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Tax, the Daily Tax Report, and the Bloomberg Terminal. He is also a sought-after speaker who has delivered educational presentations at legal conferences across the country, from the ABA Tax Division to national benefits summits.
Samuel earned his LLM in Tax from New York University School of Law and his JD from Hofstra University School of Law, where he graduated ranked 21st out of 274 and received his degree With Distinction.
Why Samuel Wolloch Krause
Sitting Judicial Experience
Judge Pro Tempore, LA Superior Court since 2016 — real courtroom experience on the bench, not just in front of it.
Elite Legal Career
Nearly 30 years practicing law at Skadden Arps, Crowell & Moring, Hogan & Hartson, and as a General Counsel overseeing a $1B organization.
Published Legal Scholar
Co-author on three legal books, scores of articles, and most recently published across Bloomberg Law, Bloomberg Tax, and the Bloomberg Terminal.
National Educator
Presented at legal conferences nationwide — ABA Tax Division, national benefits summits, Lexology Masterclass — sharing expertise across the legal community.
Impartial & Principled
A commitment to upholding the law fairly, with deep respect for every individual who enters the courtroom.
Community Rooted
A Northridge, CA resident who has built his entire career serving California — from the U.S. Department of Labor to the LA Superior Court bench.
Judicial Philosophy
“Treat every person who comes before the court fairly, equally, and with dignity; apply the law faithfully, thoughtfully, and with appropriate humanity; and never lose sight of the court’s duty to serve the public.”
Having served as a Judge Pro Tempore in courthouses from Compton to Lancaster, Samuel has seen how much trust in the justice system depends on judges who are prepared, respectful, and even-handed. Unlike many judicial candidates whose courtroom experience comes from serving as an advocate for one side, Samuel’s judicial experience is as a neutral decision-maker — evaluating each matter on its own facts and law, without favoring prosecution, defense, or any party.
His goal as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge is to make the Superior Court faster, more accessible, and more user-friendly without sacrificing fairness — reducing backlogs, expanding language access and self-help services, and ensuring every litigant is treated with dignity. As he puts it: “Justice should not depend on whether someone can afford counsel or understand a complicated process.”
Community Priorities
Outside the courtroom, Samuel is focused on three issues he believes are foundational to opportunity and full participation in community life:
Education
Good schools are the foundation of every other opportunity. Samuel believes investing in public education is one of the highest-return commitments a community can make.
Housing Affordability
Stable housing is essential to independence and dignity. The housing crisis affects working families, seniors, and the most vulnerable members of our community.
Disability Access & Inclusion
After suffering a spinal cord injury in 2023, Samuel has seen more clearly how people living with disabilities are too often unseen or excluded. Nationally, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is roughly double that of those without. In California, fewer than 2% of active judicial officers report living with a disability. Samuel is committed to changing that.
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